Cultivation substrate and method of preparing the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a cultivation substrate and to a method of preparing the same. The cultivation substrate of the invention contains comminuted plants selected from among knot grass, C 4  plants and plants of the cannabis and Dicksonia genuses, and is suited as a peat substitute.

The present invention relates to a cultivation substrate and to a methodof preparing the same.

Peat is predominantly used as a cultivation substrate in thehorticultural sector. Biologically speaking, peat is the humus form ofbogs, especially of upland moors which belong to the particularlyendangered habitats. Numerous plants and animals that are living thereare found on the Red List which names the species that are in danger ofbecoming extinct. Nevertheless, in the Federal Republic of Germanyalone, about 1000 ha of moor area are drained every year due to peatcutting, and more than 8 million cubic meters of peat are used inprivate and commercial gardens every year. Bogs need up to 10,000 yearsfor their development and they will be destroyed in only a few decadesif peat cutting is not stopped. Managing without peat or, what is evenbetter, a substitute for peat in private and commercial gardens willhelp to save the bogs.

The positve effects of peat, such as the improvement of the soilstructure, are counteracted by a plethora of disadvantages:

Peat is not a fertilizer as the name "fertilizing peat" makes usbelieve, it is virtually without any plant nutrients.

Peat has a very low pH (pH 3-4), thus acidifying the soil. Such anacidification leads to nutrient deficiency and, in turn, requiresadditional and expensive fertilization that is harmful to theenvironment.

The water storing capacity of peat is very small. Peat loses itsmoisture very rapidly, thus supplying only very small amounts of humusas compared with other organic materials (compost, bark mulch).

In sandy soil the effect created by the use of peat mostly wears outvery rapidly while carbonization may be observed in heavy loamy soil dueto an inadequate supply of air.

An especially ineffective method consists in covering the soil withpeat, as it is especially on the surface that peat dries out veryeasily. The positive effect created by soil covering cannot be achievedwith peat.

Up to the present day several "peat substitutes" have already beendeveloped that are capable of replacing part of the peat used forgardening:

Substitutes of an organic kind:

bark products, composts, rice glumes, coconut fibers, cotton waste

Substitutes of a mineral kind: expanded clay, expanded shale, rock wool,sand and gravel, pumice, lavalite, perlite, vermiculite, etc.

Substitutes of a synthetic kind:

styromull, hygromull, plastic bristles, etc.

Some negative characteristics of these products often rule out the useof higher mixing amounts in cultivation substrates. Attention must bepaid to the following criteria when such products are used:

salt content

nutrient content

nitrogen fixation

content of heavy metals and fibers detrimental to health (rock wool,plastic bristles, harmful organic substances)

water storing capacity

air capacity

structural stability

ion-exchange capacity

uniform quality

price

availability

transportation costs

eco-balance

Peat substitutes of a mineral or synthetic kind have, most of the time,an excessively high content of salt and an inadequate structuralstability; when they are used, a strong nitrogen bond and poor airmanagement in the soil will be observed Moreover, synthetic substitutesare detrimental to health most of the time. Disposal and biologicalrecycling also pose problems in the case of mineral and synthetic peatsubstitutes

Organic peat substitutes that have so far been used are alsodisadvantageous For instance, compost from garden or kitchen waste,garbage or sludge mostly contains residues of pesticides, heavy metals,carcinogenic hydrocarbons, antibiotics or other foreign matter.Composting is often accompanied by a foul odor, and the above-mentionedforeign substances may also adversely affect the quality of the groundwater through seeping water.

To sum up, there is no generally usable substitute on the market whoseproperties would even come close to those of younger peat. The air poreportion which is of importance to an optimum plant growth, as well as ahigh water retaining capacity could not be achieved with formerly knownsubstitutes

It has therefore been the object of the present invention to provide amaterial which has the essential chemical and physical properties ofyounger peat and has been improved such that, in comparison with youngerpeat, it has a more favorable pH, a higher amount of air pores and ahigher fertilizer content Furthermore, the production of the materialshould be pro-environmental, inexpensive and standardizable.

The present invention provides for a cultivation substrate that isexcellently suited as a peat substitute. The cultivation substrate ofthe invention contains comminuted plants selected from among knot grass,C₄ plants and plants of the cannabis and Dicksonia genuses.

The cultivation substrate preferably contains comminuted polyploidknot-grass plants

The knot grass (Polygonum sachalinense, Reynoutria sachalinense orReynoutria japonica) was imported into Europe from South Sakhalin, anisland before the east coast of Russia, as an ornamental plant and afodder plant in the middle of the last century. Since that time it hasoften been found in an uncultivated state along creeks or the outskirtsof forests together with a related species, the Japanese knot grass. Theadvantage of knot grass is, among other things, that it regrows rapidlyand can be harvested with conventional agricultural machinery withoutany high energy consumption. Perennials which have so far been known inuncultivated form have yielded 50 to 150 tons of fresh biomass perhectare and year. Another advantage is that no pesticides have to beused when knot grass is grown since pests have so far not been known.

Within the scope of the present ivnention, it has been possible tomultiply the number of chromosomes (polyploidization) in knot grass byusing colchicine, resulting in the cultivation of especially productivevarieties. A crop yield of 200 to 500 tons of fresh biomass per hectareand year is achieved by growing polyploid knot grass. It will be shownin the following how a polyploidization could be achieved in knot grass:

1. Strong and frost-resistant knot grass plants were chosen from testfields; these plants are the starting material for in vitro propagationand for genetic assays.

2. For the preparation of a sterile culture young sprouts weresterilized in a 1% sodium hypochloride solution.

3. With the aid of a microscope the meristems of the plants were takenand applied in sterile form to a medium (Table 1). Since 80% to 90% ofthe removed meristems are not sterile, these cultures are overgrown intest tubes or pots by fungi or bacteria. To obtain a few sterilestarting plants, thousands of meristems must be removed and cultivated.

4. Sterile meristems were then further propagated on different media,whereby an optimum propagation rate was determined. Clones for furtherpropagation were thus produced within about 6 to 12 months.

4. Multiplication of the chromosomes was induced by adding colchicine tothe growth medium. Colchicine is a substance contained in autumn crocus(Colchicum annuum) which acts as a mitosis inhibitor. Colchicine wasdissolved in water and sterilized by means of filters because it isthermolabile. The concentration of the colchicine solution was in therange of from 0.01 to 0.50% by weight.

6. The treatment period was very short when a strong concentration ofcolchicine solution was used; with a weakly concentrated solution thetreatment time was extended accordingly

7. After treatment the plants were washed with sterile water to removethe chemicals used. The meristems were subsequently placed on a culturemedium in a closable pot and cultivated under artificial light(2000-2500 lux, 16 hours) at a suitable temperature (25+/-1° C.) and airhumidity (50% relative humidity).

8. Since colchicine is highly toxic, only a few meristems survived thistreatment and among these only a few had an increased number ofchromosomes.

9. Each plant was assayed by means of a cytometer. It could bedetermined through the number of stomata and chloroplasts in the cellsof the cuticle whether the number of chromosomes of the plant cells hadchanged. Polyploid plants have significantly more of these components.Furthermore, polyploidization can be recognized by an increase in theepidermis cells as compared with diploid cells.

10. An examination of the root tips showed definite results. To this endthe chromosomes of the test plants were stained. The chromosomes becamespiral to an extent that they could be counted under the microscope.

11. Polyploid plants or plant parts were further propagated and plantedas seedlings on fields after a corresponding cultivation time.

                  TABLE 1    ______________________________________    Composition of a Nutrient for the Propagation of    Meristems of Knot Grass and C.sub.4 Plants    ______________________________________    CaCl.sub.2.2H.sub.2 O                      440    mg/l    KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 170    mg/l    KNO.sub.3         1900   mg/l M S Macront    NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3 1650   mg/l    MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O                      370    mg/l    CoCl.sub.2.6H.sub.2 O                      0.025  mg/l    Na.sub.2 MoO.sub.4.2H.sub.2 O                      0.25   mg/l    CuSO.sub.4.5H.sub.2 O                      0.025  mg/l    KJ                0.83   mg/l M S Micro    H.sub.3 BO.sub.3  6.2    mg/l    MnSO.sub.4.4H.sub.2 O                      22.3   mg/l    Zn SO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O                      8.6    mg/l    NA.sub.2.EDTA     37.2   mg/l    FeSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O                      27.8   mg/1    nicotinic acid    0.50   mg/l    pyridoxins (vitamin B.sub.6)                      0.50   mg/l    thiamins (vitamin B.sub.1)                      1.0    mg/l    sugar             30.0   g/l    agar-agar         6.5    g/l    BAP (6-benzyl-amino-                      2.0    mg/l    purine    NAA (1-napthyl acetic                      0.01   mg/l    acid    GA3 (gibberillic acid)                      1.0    mg/l    adenine sulfate   80.0   mg/l    ______________________________________

Acenaphthene can also be used for the polyploidization of knot grass.Since acenaphthene is not soluble in water, crystals of this substanceare applied in undissolved form to the vegetation point of themeristems. Furthermore, the plant parts to be treated are placed underglass bells whose insides have also applied thereto acenaphthenecrystals.

A steam pressure of the sublimated substance, on whose level thetreatment period depends, is formed under the glass bell in response tothe temperature

Knot grass plants which have high biomass yields can also be obtainedthrough the specific selection of spontaneously mutated plants or plantparts.

It has been found that a cultivation substrate produced on the basis ofknot grass contains substances which strenghten the plants embeddedtherein and protect them against possible fungal attack, such as mildewor rust and the bacterial disease fire blight. Plants which have beenpotted into this cultivation substrate show specific metabolic changes.The concentrations of various enzymes in the plants already rise a fewhours after potting. This includes the chitinases which are capable ofdecomposing the components of the cell walls of fungi. It is thereforesafe to assume that these metabolic products play a considerable role-indefending the plants against fungal attack Other enzymes which caneffect further defense reactions of the plants are also produced to anincreased degree On the whole, the mechanism which underlies theresistance induced by the substrate of the invention is very complicatedand has not been clarified yet in every respect.

The cultivation substrate according to the invention contains comminutedC₄ plants in addition to or instead of comminuted knot-grass plants.

A number of plant species that are characterized by high photosynthesisrates are designated as C₄ plants. These are based on an effectivecarbon dioxide exploitation, even when the amount of CO₂ is small. Thefirst detectable reaction product is a C₄ body (oxalacetate, malate,aspartate) in contrast to the C₃ body 3-phospoglyceric acid in C₃plants. The morphology of C₄ plants differs from those of C₃ plants inthat the assimilating cells are arranged in C₄ plants in the manner of awreath around the vascular bundles of the leaves whereas these arenormally laminated in C₃ plants.

Preference is given to a cultivation substrate which contains comminutedC₄ plants from the genuses Sorghum, Miscanthus, Andropogon,Coelorhachis, Coix, Cymbopogon, Echinoloa, Erianthus, Hyparrhenia,Leptochloa, Panicum, Paspalum, Pennisetum, Saccharum, Schizachyrum,Spartina, Sporobolus, Themeda, Thripsacum, Vetiveria and/or Zea.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the cultivation substrate of theinvention contains comminuted C₄ plants of the species: Sorghum allmum,Sorghum halapense, Sorghum versicolor, (variety: CV-Silk), Sorghumbicolor vr. arundinacaeum, Sorghum bicolor var. verticilliflorum,Sorghum caucasicum, Sorghum drummondii, Sorghum giganteum, Sorghummilliaceum, Sorghum milliaceum var. parvispiculum, Sorghum nidium,Sorghum pugionifolium, Sorghum serratum, Sorghum stapffii, Sorghumsudanense, Sorghum vulgare, Sorghum zizanioides and Sorghum adans.

In making selections on tests fields for many years, the inventorssucceeded in making the most important varieties of the C₄ plant specieshardy for the European climate, namely Sorghum allmum, Sorghum bicolor(variety: CV-Silk) and Sorghum halapense.

To obtain especially productive C₄ plants, the polyploidization methodsdescribed above for knot grass may be carried out. Since C₄ plantsbelong to monocotyledonae whose apical meristems are well protected byleaves, the coleoptile is cut shortly above the apical meristem in theembryonal stage, and colchicine is applied to the torso. After a fewdays the leaf system is built up again by regrowing young leaves.

As far as C₄ plants are concerned, germinated seeds can also be exposedto a thin layer of colchicine solution in Petri dishes for about 3 to 4hours. The most advantageous concentration of the aqueous colchicinesolution depends on the species. It varies with C₄ grasses between0.05-0.4%. During treatment the seeds must be checked at regularintervals, especially when colchicine is applied for a longer time. Whenthe roots become thick, the treatment has to be stopped. The seeds arethen washed thoroughly and sown in transplanting containers.

Furthermore, comminuted plants of the genuses cannabis (hemp) andDicksonia (tree fern) yield the cultivation substrate of the invention.Preference is given to a cultivation substrate of comminuted plants ofthe species Cannabis sativa, Cannabis sativa ssp. indica, Cannabissativa ssp. sativa, Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa gigantea (var.chinensis), Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa (Dc., Cannabis gigantea Del. ex.Vilm; giant hemp) or Dicksonia antarctica.

The cultivation substrate preferably contains comminuted knot grassand/or C₄ plants having a natural residual moisture of from 15% to 25%,especially preferred are from 18% to 20%. Plants with such a residualmoisture can be obtained by leaving the same on the stem until they stopgrowing in autumn because of the season and relocate the nutrients fromthe plant parts above the ground into the root rhizome. As soon as theplants have reached the above-mentioned residual moisture, they will beharvested by means of agricultural machinery and the chopped biomasswill then be coarsely or finely ground, for instance by means of adrivable hammer mill.

For the comminution of the plants, use can e.g. be made of drumchoppers, drum shredders, disc choppers, two-circuit mills, pressurelessrefiners or pressure refiners, bark mills, chip fragmentizers, top-layermills, chip shredders, impact shredders or similar machinery that issuited for disintegrating shreds, chips and annuals.

During the comminution process, or thereafter, additives may be added,depending on the later use of the cultivation substrate.

Such additives may e.g. be vegetable oils. The admixture of vegetableoils prevents the formation of dust by the cultivation substrate of theinvention. For instance, soybean, rape or sunflower oil may be used asvegetable oil. 1 to 5 l of vegetable oil are advantageously mixed with 1m³ cultivation substrate.

Furthermore, polyacrylamide granules, clay mineral mixtures, ground lavarock, pumice, bentonite, sand, waste paper, fly ash from brown-coalcombustion, brown-coal waste and all kinds of fertilizers are suited asadditives.

Polyacrylamide granules improve the cultivation substrate of theinvention in that it possesses a high water storing capacity. Gellingcross-linked polyacrylamide granules, as are e.g. obtainable under thename Polywater-Aqua-Plus® from Polyplant GmbH, Xanten, are especiallyadvantageous.

The addition of clay mineral mixtures to the cultivation substrate ofthe invention allows the formation of clay-humus complexes.

Furthermore, organic additives, such as seeaweed extract, ground castorpowder, horn chips, horn meal, blood meal, softwood chips, cotton waste,flax waste, textile waste, coconut fibers and leaf mold, areadvantageously suited.

A liquid seaweed extract can e.g. be produced according to standardmethods on the basis of Ascophyllum nodosum. Seaweed extract can fore.g. be bought under the name Maxicrop Triple® from MaxicropInternational Ltd., Norway.

Furthermore, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, plant hormones, vitamins,fungicides and amino acids can be used as additives for specialapplications of the cultivation substrate of the invention.

For instance, bacteria of the genus Azotobacter are suited asnitrogen-fixing bacteria An Azotobacter-containing preparation for usein the agricultural field is obtainable under the name "Krishio MitraLiquid Bioferiliser®" from Suyash Sankalp Exports Pvt. Ltd., Pune,India. Auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, etc can be used as planthormones. Vitamins can be chosen from among thiamin, riboflavin,pyridoxine, cobalamin, nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, folic acid andbiotin.

A preparation which contains a mixture that consists of plant hormons,vitamins, fungicides, amino acids and other nutrients and is suited asan additive for the cultivation substrate according to the invention canbe obtained under the name "Vitormone®" from Suyash Sankalp Exports Pvt.Ltd., Pune, India.

The following Table 2 compares the properties of a cultivation substrateof the invention of comminuted Sorghum allmum plants with those ofyounger peat:

                  TABLE 2    ______________________________________    Characteristics of the cultivation substrate according to the    invention of Sorghum allmum plants as compared with younger    peat                  Cultivation Substrate    Characteristics                  of the Invention                                 Younger Peat    ______________________________________    pH            6.2            3.0-4.5    dry weight in %                  86.945%        20.0-30.0%    total N in %  0.34%          0.8-1.2%    total P in %  1.70%          0.01-0.04%    total K in %  3.70           0.01-0.03%    C/N ratio     30:1           30:50    volume weight, dry,                  220 g/l        55-75 g/l    in g/l    volume weight, moist,                  1510 g/l       150-180 g/l    in g/l    ______________________________________

As can be learnt from the above table, the cultivation substrateaccording to the invention is very rich in nutrients and thusexcellently suited as a peat substitute. Like all organic materials, thesubstrate is subject to a natural microbial decomposition in the courseof time. Since the above-mentioned plants are biomasses having greatamounts of lignin and pulp, the cultivation substrate is only decomposedat a slow rate and is predominantly converted into durable humus. Itimproves the structure of soil, prevents soil compaction or crusting,increases the soil temperature and is compatible with organisms livingin soil. The cultivation substrate according to the invention is notphytotoxic. It is excellently suited for gardening, landscape tendingand commerical horticulture, for fruit, vegetable and wine cultivationand for forestry. Furthermore, it can be used as garden mold. Since thesubstrate binds moisture, prevents the formation of bad smells, does notstick together and remains elastic for a long time, it is especiallysuited as litter in the keeping of animals, especially as cat litter

The following Table 3 is a comparative analysis between younger peat,black peat and the cultivation substrate of the invention:

                  TABLE 3    ______________________________________                                   Cultivation                                   Substrate                                   of the              Younger Peat                       Black Peat  Invention    No. Property                1     2      3   1   2    3    1   2   3    ______________________________________    1. pro-environmental     *            *    *    general    2. proenvironmental in   *            *    *    production    3. energy consumption                *                *             *    during production    4. transportation        *            *    *    distances (short    distance)    5. production    variants, e.g.    structure         *                   *    *    Water content            *            *    *    chemical properties      *            *    *    other products           *            *    *    6. Water retaining                *                    * - *     *    capacity    7. coarse pore volume                      *                   *    *    8. N-bond   *                *             *    C/N ratio    9. buffering capacity                      * - *      *             *    10. Wettability   *                   * - *                                               *    11. structural    *                   *    *    stability    12. peat-like                *                *             *    properties, chem.    13. peat-like                *                *                 *    properties, color    14. quality, medium-                      *                   *    *    term    15. dependence on site   *            *    *    ______________________________________

It should be noted that stable manure (cattle, pig, chicken or horsedung) can be fermented together with the biomass of the inventionconsisting of comminuted useful plants, in particular knot grass or C₄plants The spreading of non-fermented stable manure on arable soilsposes various problems The most important negative effects shall here bebriefly summarized as follows:

stack manure damages the roots of the plants because of the content ofharmful substances (indole, skatole, putrescine, cadaverine, etc);

root inhibiting substances are released during the decomposition offresh organic substance by micro-organisms;

stack manure contains viable weed seeds and pathogens;

pests and insects, such as potato beetles, are attracted by decayingmanure;

stack manure can inhibit the mineral take-up of the plants because of an"ion competition".

It is only the simultaneous fermentation of stable manure andcultivation substrate of the invention that yields a fertilizer whichcan safely be used.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of preparing acultivation substrate, the method comprising the following steps,

a) harvesting plants selected from among knot grass, C₄ plants andplants of the cannabis and Dicksonia genuses;

b) comminuting the plants; and optionally

c) mixing the resultant biomass with at least one additive.

As already mentioned above, preferably polyploid knot grass and C₄plants of the above-mentioned genuses or species are suited forcultivation.

The agriculturally cultivated plants can be harvested by means ofagricultural machinery, such as a row-independent corn head, and cansubsequently be ground coarsely or finely by means of theabove-mentioned machinery.

The plants are preferably harvested at a time when the plants have anatural residual moisture of from 15% to 25% due to the season.

The comminuted plants can preferably be mixed with the above-mentionedadditives.

It is especially advantageous to compost the harvested and comminutedknot grass and/or C₄ plants or plants of the cannabis and Dicksoniagenuses optionally together with at least one of the above-mentionedadditives according to standard methods.

Examples of especially preferred compositions of the cultivationsubstrate of the invention are given as follows:

1. per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:

70 parts of comminuted plants

20 parts of sand

10 parts of polyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm

1 kg of algal extract, dissolved in 50 l of water and intermixed

2. per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:

70 parts of comminuted plants

29 parts of pumice

1 part of polyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm

1 kg of algal extract

3. per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:

60 parts of comminuted plants

39 parts of waste paper, shredded and moistened

1 part of polyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm

1 kg of algal extract

4. per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:

500 parts of Sorghum allmum or Sorghum halapense, dry, shredded, 1-3 mm

500 parts of Miscanthus sinensis giganteus, dry-shredded, 1-5 mm

5-15 kg of clay mineral mixture 1 (Table 4)

5-15 kg of clay mineral 3 (Table 6)

2.5-5 kg of coarse castor powder or

1 kg of algal extract

5. per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:

333 parts of Sorghum allmum or Sorghum halapense or other Sorghumspecies, dry-shredded, 1-3 mm

333 parts of Miscanthus sinensis giganteus or Miscanthus sinensis orstraw or Tompinambur (biomass above ground, 18-20% residual moisture,dry-shredded, 1-5 mm

333 parts of waste paper, shredded into 0.5 mm stripes

5-15 kg of clay mineral mixture 2 (Table 5)

5-15 kg of clay mineral mixture 3 or

1 kg of Polywater-Aqua-Plus®, 1-3 mm grain size

4-5 kg of horn chips or 2-3 kg of horn meal or 1 kg of blood meal or

1 kg of algal extract

6. per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:

333 parts of Sorghum allmum or Sorghum halapense, dry-shredded, 1-3 mm

333 parts of softwood chips

150 parts of waste paper in 0.5 mm stripes or as pulp or as paper sludge

183 parts of Miscanthus sin. gig. or Miscanthus sin.

1-2 kg of urea or algal extract, dissolved in 10 to 50 l of water, mixedwith the above-mentioned mass

5-15 kg of clay mineral mixture 2

1 kg of Polywater-Aqua-Plus®, 1-3 mm grain size or

10-15 kg of clay mineral mixture 3

7. per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:

333 parts of Sorghum allmum or Sorghum halapense or other Sorghumspecies, dry-shredded, 1-3 mm

333 parts of ground cotton waste or ground flax waste (flax tow) orground textile waste or coconut fibers or fly ash from brown-coalcombustion or brown-coal waste, leaf mold or waste paper, paper sludgeor paper pulp

333 parts of Miscanthus sin. gig. or Miscanthus sin.

1-2 kg of urea or horn chips or blood meal or ground castor powder oralgal extract, dissolved in 10-50 l of water, mixed with theabove-mentioned mass

5-15 kg of clay mineral mixture 2

1 kg of Polywater-Aqua-Plus®, 1-3 mm grain size or clay mineral mixture3

8. per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:

333 parts of Sorghum, dry-shredded, 1-3 mm

333 parts of waste paper 0.5 mm, shredded and moistened

333 parts of sand and pumice, pumice 1-3 mm, in equal parts

5-15 kg of clay mineral mixture 2

1 kg of Polywater-Aqua-Plus®, 1-3 mm grain size or clay mineral mixture3

1-2 kg of urea or horn chips or horn meal or blood meal or coarse castorpowder, or algal extract, dissolved in 10-15 l of water, mixed with theabove mass.

To avoid the formation of mold in the cultivation substrate when thelatter is stored in sacks for a long period of time, the substrateshould have a residual moisture of not more than 18%. Alternatively,preservatives may be added. Biological preservatives, such as madderroots, are especially recommended.

                  TABLE 4    ______________________________________    Clay Mineral Mixture 1    components         mineral composition    clay minerals      montmorillonite                                   70-75%                       illite      15-20%                       quartz      3-5%    Main accompanying minerals:                       feldspar and mica                       high ion-exchange capacity    Chemical Analysis:    silicic acid (SiO.sub.2)                       56.5%    aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3)                       20.8%    iron oxide (Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3)                       5.0%    titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2)                       0.3%    calcium oxide (CaO)                       2.1%    magnesium oxide (MgO)                       3.4%    potassium oxide (K.sub.2 O)                       1.4%    sodium oxide (Na.sub.2 O)                       2.3%    ignition loss      8.3%    Micronutrients     manganese, copper, boron    pH (8% aqueous suspension)                       9                       water binding capacity                       reversible (high)    cation-exchange capacity                       40-50 mval/100 g/                       dry clay    efficient (specific) surface                       5-7 ha/1 kg dry clay    ______________________________________

                  TABLE 5    ______________________________________    Clay Mineral Mixture 2    silica (SiO.sub.2)                      50.5%    alumimum oxide (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3)                      24.0%    titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2)                      4.0%    iron oxide (Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3)                      13.5%    calcium oxide (CaO)                      3.0%    magnesium oxide (MgO)                      3.4%    potassium oxide (K.sub.2 O)                      0.6%    sodium oxide (Na.sub.2 O)                      10.0%    ignition loss     10.0%    Trace Elements    lead         5.0     mg/kg    boron        120.0   mg/kg    cadmium      20.2    mg/kg    chromium     95.0    mg/kg    cobalt       43.0    mg/kg    copper       39.0    mg/kg    nickel       52.0    mg/kg    zinc         110.0   mg/kg    manganese    1600.0  mg/kg    Other Data:    pH            5.2%    T value       75 mval (100 g)    N             23 mg/l    P.sub.2 O.sub.5                  277 mg/l    K.sub.2 O     203 mg/l    Mg            559 mg/l    salt (as KCl) 0.23 g/l    ______________________________________

                  TABLE 6    ______________________________________    Clay Mineral Mixture 3    bulk density, graininess                        0.5-3.5 mm, 770 g/l    porosity            52%    water capacity per 1 of mineral    granules:           600-800 cm.sup.3, depending                        on graininess    pH                  neutral on the long run    color of the granules                        red-yellow-brown    resistant to acids, alkalis and    frost    Chemical Analysis (approximate values)    silica (SiO.sub.2)                      about 60.00%    aluminium oxide (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3)                      about 23.00%    titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2)                      about 1.90%    iron oxide (Fe.sub.4 O.sub.3)                      about 3-8%    calcium oxide (CaO)                      about 0.20%    magnesium oxide (MgO)                      about 0.80%    potassium oxide (K.sub.2 O)                      about 2.20%    sodium oxide (Na.sub.2 O)                      about 0.30%    free from carbonate and sulfate    ______________________________________

We claim:
 1. A cultivation substrate comprising at least one comminutedknot grass plant, characterized by containing per cubic meter ofcultivation substrate:70 parts of comminuted plants; 20 parts of sand;10 parts of polyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1 kg of algalextract, dissolved in 50 l of water and intermixed.
 2. A cultivationsubstrate comprising at least one comminuted plant wherein the plant isa C₄ plant, characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivationsubstrate:70 parts of comminuted plants; 20 parts of sand; 10 parts ofpolyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1 kg of algal extract,dissolved in 50 l of water and intermixed.
 3. A cultivation substratecomprising at least one comminuted plant wherein the plant is of thecannabis genus, characterized by containing per cubic meter ofcultivation substrate:70 parts of comminuted plants; 20 parts of sand;10 parts of polyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1 kg of algalextract, dissolved in 50 l of water and intermixed.
 4. A cultivationsubstrate comprising at least one comminuted plant of the Dicksoniagenus, characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivationsubstrate:70 parts of comminuted plants; 20 parts of sand; 10 parts ofpolyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1 kg of algal extract,dissolved in 50 l of water and intermixed.
 5. A cultivation substratecomprising at least one comminuted knot grass plant, characterized bycontaining per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:70 parts ofcomminuted plants; 29 parts of pumice; 1 part of polyacrylamidegranules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1 kg of algal extract.
 6. A cultivationsubstrate comprising at least one comminuted plant wherein the slant isa C₄ plant, characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivationsubstrate:70 parts of comminuted plants; 29 parts of pumice; 1 part ofpolyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1 kg of algal extract.
 7. Acultivation substrate comprising at least one comminuted plant whereinthe plant is of the cannabis genus, characterized by containing percubic meter of cultivation substrate:70 parts of comminuted plants; 29parts of pumice; 1 part of polyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1kg of algal extract.
 8. A cultivation substrate comprising at least onecomminuted plant wherein the plant is of the Dicksonia genus,characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:70parts of comminuted plants; 29 parts of pumice; 1 part of polyacrylamidegranules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1 kg of algal extract.
 9. A cultivationsubstrate comprising at least one comminuted knot grass plant,characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:60parts of comminuted plants; 39 parts of waste paper, shredded andmoistened; 1 part of polyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1 kg ofalgal extract.
 10. A cultivation substrate comprising at least onecomminuted plant wherein the plant is a C₄ plant, characterized bycontaining per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:60 parts ofcomminuted plants; 39 parts of waste paper, shredded and moistened; 1part of polyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1 kg of algalextract.
 11. A cultivation substrate comprising at least one comminutedplant wherein the plant is of the cannabis genus, characterized bycontaining per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:60 parts ofcomminuted plants; 39 parts of waste paper, shredded and moistened; 1part of polyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1 kg of algalextract.
 12. A cultivation substrate comprising at least one comminutedplant wherein the plant is of the Dicksonia genus, characterized bycontaining per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:60 parts ofcomminuted plants; 39 parts of waste paper, shredded and moistened; 1part of polyacrylamide granules, grain size 1-3 mm; 1 kg of algalextract.
 13. A cultivation substrate comprising at least one comminutedknot grass plant, characterized by containing per cubic meter ofcultivation substrate:500 parts of Sorghum sp., dry, shredded, 1-3 mm;500 parts of Miscanthus sinensis giganteus, dry-shredded, 1-5 mm; 5-15kg of a clay mineral mixture of 70-75% montmorillonite, 15-20% illiteand 3-5% quartz, with feldspar and mica as main accompanying minerals,with approximate chemical analysis: 56.5% SiO₂, 20.8% Al₂ O₃, 5.0% Fe₂O₃, 0.3% TiO₂, 2.1% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 1.4% K₂ O, Na₂ O 2.3%, withmanganese, copper and boron micronutrients; 5-15 kg of a clay mineralmixture having approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂O, carbonate-free and sulfate-free; 2.5-5 kg of coarse castor powder or1 kg of algal extract.
 14. A cultivation substrate comprising at leastone comminuted plant wherein the plant is a C₄ plant, characterized bycontaining per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:500 parts of Sorghumsp, dry, shredded, 1-3 mm; 500 parts of Miscanthus sinensis giganteus,dry-shredded, 1-5 mm; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture of 70-75%montmorillonite, 15-20% illite and 3-5% guartz, with feldspar and micaas main accompanying minerals, with approximate chemical analysis: 56.5%SiO₂, 20.8% Al₂ O₃, 5.0% Fe₂ O₃, 0.3% TiO₂, 2.1% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 1.4% K₂O, Na₂ O 2.3%, with manganese, copper and boron micronutrients; 5-15 kgof a clay mineral mixture having approximate chemical analysis of about60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-80 Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2%K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂ O, carbonate-free and sulfate-free; 2.5-5 kg of coarsecastor powder or 1 kg of algal extract.
 15. A cultivation substratecomprising at least one comminuted plant wherein the plant is of thecannabis genus, characterized by containing per cubic meter ofcultivation substrate:500 parts of Sorghum sp, dry, shredded, 1-3 mm;500 parts of Miscanthus sinensis giganteus, dry-shredded, 1-5 mm; 5-15kg of a clay mineral mixture of 70-75% montmorillonite, 15-20% illiteand 3-5% guartz, with feldspar and mica as main accompanying minerals,with approximate chemical analysis: 56.5% SiO₂, 20.8% Al₂ O₃, 5.0% Fe₂O₃, 0.3% TiO₂, 2.1% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 1.4% K₂ O, Na₂ O 2.3%, withmanganese, copper and boron micronutrients; 5-15 kg of a clay mineralmixture having approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂O. carbonate-free and sulfate-free; 2.5-5 kg of coarse castor powder or1 kg of algal extract.
 16. A cultivation substrate comprising at leastone comminuted plant wherein the plant is of the Dicksonia genus,characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:500parts of Sorghum sp, dry, shredded, 1-3 mm; 500 parts of Miscanthussinensis giganteus, dry-shredded, 1-5 mm; 5-15 kg of a clay mineralmixture of 70-75% montmorillonite, 15-20% illite and 3-5% quartz, withfeldspar and mica as main accompanying minerals, with approximatechemical analysis: 56.5% SiO₂, 20.8% Al₂ O₃, 5.0% Fe₂ O₃, 0.3% TiO₂,2.1% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 1.4% K₂ O, Na₂ O 2.3%, with manganese, copper andboron micronutrients; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture havingapproximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂,3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2%CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂ O. carbonate-freeand sulfate-free; 2.5-5 kg of coarse castor powder or 1 kg ofalgal-extract.
 17. A cultivation substrate comprising at least onecomminuted knot grass plant, characterized by containing per cubic meterof cultivation substrate:333 parts of Sorghum sp., dry-shredded, 1-3 mm;333 parts of Miscanthus sinensis or straw or Tompinambur (18-20%residual moisture, dry-shredded, 1-5 mm); 333 parts of waste paper,shredded into 0 5 mm stripes; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture havingapproximate chemical analysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂,13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, traceelements: 5.0 mg/kg lead, 120.0 mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel,110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kg manganese; 5-15 kg of a clay mineralmixture having approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂O, carbonate-free and sulfate-free or 1 kg of polyacrylamide granules,1-3 mm grain size; 4-5 kg of horn chips or 2-3 kg of horn meal or 1 kgof blood meal or 1 kg of algal extract.
 18. A cultivation substratecomprising at least one comminuted plant wherein the plant is a C₄plant, characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivationsubstrate:333 parts of Sorghum sp., dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333 parts ofMiscanthus sinensis or Tompinambur (18-20% residual moisture,dry-shredded, 1-5 mm); 333 parts of waste paper, shredded into 0 5 mmstripes; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture having approximate chemicalanalysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂, 13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO,3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, trace elements: 5.0 mg/kg lead, 120.0mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0 mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt,39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel, 110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kgmanganese; 5-15 kg of clay mineral mixture 3 or 1 kg of polyacrylamidegranules, 1-3 mm grain size; 4-5 kg of horn chips or 2-3 kg of horn mealor 1 kg of blood meal or 1 kg of algal extract.
 19. A cultivationsubstrate comprising at least one comminuted plant wherein the plant isof the cannabis genus, characterized by containing per cubic meter ofcultivation substrate:333 parts of Sorghum sp., dry-shredded, 1-3 mm;333 parts of Miscanthus sinensis or straw or Tompinambur (18-20%residual moisture, dry-shredded, 1-5 mm); 333 parts of waste paper,shredded into 0 5 mm stripes; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture havingapproximate chemical analysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂,13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, traceelements: 5.0 mg/kg lead, 120.0 mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel,110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kg manganese; 5-15 kg of a clay mineralmixture having approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂O, carbonate-free and sulfate-free or 1 kg of polyacrylamide granules,1-3 mm grain size; 4-5 kg of horn chips or 2-3 kg of horn meal or 1 kgof blood meal or 1 kg of algal extract.
 20. A cultivation substratecomprising at least one comminuted plant wherein the plant is of theDicksonia genus, characterized by containing per cubic meter ofcultivation substrate:333 parts of Sorghum sp., dry-shredded, 1-3 mm;333 parts of Miscanthus sinensis or straw or Tompinambur (18-20%residual moisture, dry-shredded, 1-5 mm); 333 parts of waste paper,shredded into 0 5 mm stripes; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture havingapproximate chemical analysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂,13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, traceelements: 5.0 mg/kg lead 120.0 mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel,110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kg manganese; 5-15 kg of a clay mineralmixture having approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂O, carbonate-free and sulfate-free or 1 kg of polyacrylamide granules,1-3 mm grain size; 4-5 kg of horn chips or 2-3 kg of horn meal or 1 kgof blood meal or 1 kg of algal extract.
 21. A cultivation substratecomprising at least one comminuted knot grass plant, characterized bycontaining per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:333 parts of Sorghumsp, dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333 parts of softwood chips; 150 parts ofwaste paper in 0.5 mm stripes or as pulp or as paper sludge; 183 partsof Miscanthus sin.; 1-2 kg of urea or algal extract, dissolved in 10 to50 1 of water, mixed with the above-mentioned mass; 5-15 kg of a claymineral mixture having approximate chemical analysis of 50.5% SiO₂,24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂, 13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O,trace elements: 5.0 mg/kg 43.0 mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0mg/kg chromium, lead, 120.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kgnickel, 110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kg manganese; 1 kg ofpolyacrylamide granules, 1-3 mm, grain size or 10-15 kg of a claymineral mixture having approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂,23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and0.3% Na₂ O, carbonate-free and sulfate-free.
 22. A cultivation substratecomprising at least one comminuted plant wherein the plant is a C₄plant, characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivationsubstrate:333 parts of Sorghum sp, dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333 parts ofsoftwood chips; 150 parts of waste paper in 0.5 mm stripes or as pulp oras paper sludge; 183 parts of Miscanthus sin.; 1-2 kg of urea or algalextract, dissolved in 10 to 50 l of water, mixed with theabove-mentioned mass; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture havingapproximate chemical analysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂,13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, traceelements: 5.0 mg/kg lead, 120.0 mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel,110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kg manganese; 1 kg of polyacrylamidegranules, 1-3 mm, grain size or 10-15 kg of a clay mineral mixturehaving approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9%TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂ O, carbonate-freeand sulfate-free.
 23. A cultivation substrate comprising at least onecomminuted plant wherein the plant is of the cannabis genus,characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:333parts of Sorghum sp, dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333 parts of softwood chips;150 parts of waste paper in 0.5 mm stripes or as pulp or as papersludge; 183 parts of Miscanthus sin.; 1-2 kg of urea or algal extract,dissolved in 10 to 50 l of water, mixed with the above-mentioned mass;5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture having approximate chemical analysisof 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂, 13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO, 3.4%MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, trace elements: 5.0 mg/kg lead 120.0 mg/kgboron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0 mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel, 110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kgmanganese; 1 kg of polyacrylamide granules, 1-3 mm, grain size or 10-15kg of a clay mineral mixture having approximate chemical analysis ofabout 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO,2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂ O, carbonate-free and sulfate-free.
 24. Acultivation substrate comprising at least one comminuted plant whereinthe plant is of the Dicksonia genus, characterized by containing percubic meter of cultivation substrate:333 parts of Sorghum sp,dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333 parts of softwood chips; 150 parts of wastepaper in 0.5 mm stripes or as pulp or as paper sludge; 183 parts ofMiscanthus sin.; 1-2 kg of urea or algal extract, dissolved in 10 to 50l of water, mixed with the above-mentioned mass; 5-15 kg of a claymineral mixture having approximate chemical analysis of 50.5% SiO₂,24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂, 13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O,10.0% Na₂ O, trace elements: 5.0 mg/kg lead, 120.0 mg/kg boron, 20.2mg/kg cadmium, 95.0 mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0 mg/kgcopper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel, 110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kg manganese;1 kg of polyacrylamide granules, 1-3 mm, grain size or 10-15 claymineral mixture having approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂,23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and0.3% Na₂ O, carbonate-free and sulfate-free.
 25. A cultivation substratecomprising at least one comminuted knot grass plant, characterized bycontaining per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:333 parts of Sorghumsp., dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333 parts of ground cotton waste or groundflax waste (flax tow) or ground textile waste or coconut fibers or flyash from brown-coal combustion or brown-coal waste, leaf mold or wastepaper, paper sludge or paper pulp; 333 parts of Miscanthus sin.; 5-15 kgof urea or horn chips or blood meal or ground castor powder or algalextract, dissolved in 10-50 l of water, mixed with the above-mentionedmass; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture having approximate analysis of50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂, 13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO, 3.4% MgO,0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, trace elements: 5.0 mg/kg lead. 120.0 mg/kgboron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0 mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel, 110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kgmanganese; 1 kg of polyacrylamide granules, 1-3 mm grain size or a claymineral mixture having approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂,23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and0.3% Na₂ O, carbonate-free and sulfate-free.
 26. A cultivation substratecomprising at least one comminuted plant wherein the plant is a C₄plant, characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivationsubstrate:333 parts of Sorghum sp., dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333 parts ofground cotton waste or ground flax waste (flax tow) or ground textilewaste or coconut fibers or fly ash from brown-coal combustion orbrown-coal waste, leaf mold or waste paper, paper sludge or paper pulp;333 parts of Miscanthus sin.; 1-2 kg of urea or horn chips or blood mealor ground castor powder algal extract, dissolved in 10-50 l of water,mixed with the above-mentioned mass; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixturehaving approximate chemical analysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0%TiO₂, 13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, traceelements: 5.0 mg/kg lead, 120.0 mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel,110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kg manganese; 1 kg of polyacrylamidegranules, 1-3 mm grain size or a clay mineral mixture having approximatechemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃,0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂ O, carbonate-free andsulfate-free.
 27. A cultivation substrate comprising at least onecomminuted plant wherein the plant is of the cannabis characterized bycontaining per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:333 parts of Sorghumsp., dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333 parts of ground cotton waste or groundflax waste (flax tow) or ground textile waste or coconut fibers or flyash from brown-coal combustion or brown-coal waste, leaf mold or wastepaper, paper sludge or paper pulp; 333 parts of Miscanthus sin.; 1-2 kgof urea or horn chips or blood meal or ground castor powder or algalextract, dissolved in 10-50 l of water, mixed with the above-mentionedmass; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture having approximate chemicalanalysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂, 13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO,3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, trace elements: 5.0 mg/kg lead, 120.0mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0 mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt,39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel, 110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kgmanganese; 1 kg of polyacrylamide granules, 1-3 mm grain size or a claymineral mixture having approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂,23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and0.3% Na₂ O carbonate-free and sulfate-free.
 28. A cultivation substratecomprising at least one comminuted plant wherein the plant is of theDicksonia genus, characterized by containing per cubic meter ofcultivation substrate:333 parts of Sorghum sp., dry-shredded, 1-3 mm;333 parts of ground cotton waste or ground flax waste (flax tow) orground textile waste or coconut fibers or fly ash from brown-coalcombustion or brown-coal waste, leaf mold or waste paper, paper sludgeor paper pulp; 333 parts of Miscanthus sin.; 1-2 kg of urea or hornchips or blood meal or ground castor algal extract, dissolved in 10-50 lof water, mixed with the above-mentioned mass; 5-15 kg of a clay mineralmixture having approximate analysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0%TiO₂, 13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, traceelements: 5.0 mg/kg lead 120.0 mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel,110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kg manganese; 1 kg of polyacrylamidegranules, 1-3 mm grain size or a clay mineral mixture having approximatechemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃,0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂ O, carbonate-free andsulfate-free.
 29. A cultivation substrate, comprising at least onecomminuted knot grass plant characterized by containing per cubic meterof cultivation substrate:333 parts of Sorghum, dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333parts of waste paper 0.5 mm, shredded and moistened; 333 parts of sandand pumice, pumice 1-3 mm, in equal parts; 5-15 kg of a clay mineralmixture having approximate chemical analysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂O₃, 4.0% TiO₂, 13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O,trace elements: 5.0 mg/kg lead, 120.0 mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium,95.0 mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kgnickel, 110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kg manganese; 1 kg ofpolyacrylamide granules, 1-3 mm grain size or a clay mineral mixturehaving approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9%TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂ O,carbonate-free and sulfate-free; 1-2 kg of urea or horn chips or hornmeal or blood meal or coarse castor powder, or algal extract, dissolvedin 10-15 l of water, mixed with the above mass.
 30. A cultivationsubstrate comprising at least one comminuted plant wherein the plant isa C₄ plant, characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivationsubstrate:333 parts of Sorghum, dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333 parts of wastepaper 0.5 mm, shredded and moistened; 333 parts of sand and pumice,pumice 1-3 mm, in equal parts; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture havingapproximate chemical analysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂,13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, traceelements: 5.0 mg/kg lead, 120.0 mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt, 39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel,110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kg manganese; 1 kg of polacrylamidegranules, 1-3 mm grain size or a clay mineral mixture having approximatechemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₄ O₃,0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂ O, carbonate-free andsulfate-free; 1-2 kg of urea or horn chips or horn meal or blood meal orcoarse castor powder, or algal extract, dissolved in 10-15 l of water,mixed with the above mass.
 31. A cultivation substrate comprising atleast one comminuted plant wherein the plant is of the cannabis genus,characterized by containing per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:333parts of Sorghum, dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333 parts of waste paper 0.5 mm,shredded and moistened; 333 parts of sand and pumice, pumice 1-3 mm, inequal parts; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture having approximatechemical analysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂, 13.5% Fe₂ O₃,3.0% CaO, 3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, trace elements: 5.0 mg/kglead, 120.0 mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0 mg/kg chromium, 43.0mg/kg cobalt, 39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel, 110.0 mg/kg zinc and1600.0 mg/kg manganese; 1 kg of polyacrylamide granules, 1-3 mm grainsize or a clay mineral mixture having approximate chemical analysis ofabout 60% SiO₂, 23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂, 3-8% Fe₁ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO,2.2% K₂ O and 0.3% Na₂ O, carbonate-free and sulfate-free; 1-2 kg ofurea or horn chips or horn meal or blood meal or coarse castor powder,or algal extract, dissolved in 10-15 l of water, mixed with the abovemass.
 32. A cultivation substrate comprising at least one comminutedplant wherein the plant is of the Dicksonia genus, characterized bycontaining per cubic meter of cultivation substrate:333 parts ofSorghum, dry-shredded, 1-3 mm; 333 parts of waste paper 0.5 mm, shreddedand moistened; 333 parts of sand and pumice, pumice 1-3 mm, in equalparts; 5-15 kg of a clay mineral mixture having approximate chemicalanalysis of 50.5% SiO₂, 24.0% Al₂ O₃, 4.0% TiO₂, 13.5% Fe₂ O₃, 3.0% CaO,3.4% MgO, 0.6% K₂ O, 10.0% Na₂ O, trace elements: 5.0 mg/kg lead, 120.0mg/kg boron, 20.2 mg/kg cadmium, 95.0 mg/kg chromium, 43.0 mg/kg cobalt,39.0 mg/kg copper, 52.0 mg/kg nickel, 110.0 mg/kg zinc and 1600.0 mg/kgmanganese; 1 kg of polyacrylamide granules, 1-3 mm grain size or a claymineral mixture having approximate chemical analysis of about 60% SiO₂,23% Al₂ O₃, 1.9% TiO₂. 3-8% Fe₄ O₃, 0.2% CaO, 0.8% MgO, 2.2% K₂ O and0.3% Na₂ O, carbonate-free and sulfate-free; 1-2 kg of urea or hornchips or horn meal or blood meal or coarse castor powder, or algalextract, dissolved in 10-15 l of water, mixed with the above mass.